In a surprising turn of events, Tanner Tessmann, a promising midfielder who has shown his prowess in European leagues, has been left off the United States men’s national team roster for the 2026 World Cup. This decision comes despite Tessmann’s participation in six national team camps under the guidance of U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Tessmann, a versatile 24-year-old, had a strong season with Lyon, starting five of nine Europa League games and 22 of 29 Ligue 1 games. His season was cut short on May 8 due to a muscle strain, but reports indicated that this injury was not expected to affect his World Cup availability. Nevertheless, Tessmann will not be joining the squad.
Another notable absence is Diego Luna, who has been dealing with a muscle injury. Luna, known for his tenacity on the field, made a significant impact with four goals and four assists in 18 appearances since his debut under Pochettino in 2024. Despite his injury, Luna’s exclusion from the roster raises questions given his past performances.
Roster Highlights
Among those selected for the team is Alejandro Zendejas, a winger from Club América, who has not been part of the national team since October but has shown impressive form in Liga MX with 12 goals and 7 assists this season. His inclusion marks a return to the national squad after being part of Pochettino’s plans in 2024 and 2025.
Gio Reyna, a skillful playmaker, has also been named to the roster. Despite his extensive injury history and limited club appearances this season, Pochettino has opted to include him, sparking some debate among fans and analysts. Reyna’s talent is undeniable, but his past attitude issues with the national team add a layer of complexity to his selection.
The roster also features Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan and three players who missed the 2022 World Cup: center backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, and forward Ricardo Pepi. These players are eager to make their mark on the international stage after missing out four years ago.
The U.S. team, co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, is placed in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. They will kick off their campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Official Announcement
Coach Mauricio Pochettino is scheduled to officially announce the roster at an event in New York City on Tuesday. The announcement will be closely watched as fans and analysts dissect the choices made for the tournament.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
